Date of Conferral

5-14-2024

Date of Award

5-14-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Mark Gordon

Abstract

Services for students who are homeless allows students and their families to deal with their living situation psychologically and offer them resources need to succeed educationally. The purpose of this research was to examine how services to homeless students in one area of Mississippi inform policy makers of the needs that are addressed with the McKinney Vento Act. The McKinney Vento Act was passed to benefit homeless students because they deserve the same quality of education, transportation to and from school, access to meals as well as various needed academic support as those that are not homeless. Being homeless places this vulnerable population at a disadvantage so offering additional allied services allows them to succeed at school and to assist with solving their housing situations. The primary research question focused on what outcomes were evident with the implementation of services being provided to homeless students. A qualitative study was conducted with semi structured interviews with shelter personnel who work with the homeless students and their parents. Data indicated that parents or shelter personnel were not aware of transportation, meals and medical care included within the grant. Overall, there should be more training and awareness, as many aspects of the McKinney Vento Act provisions are unnoticed and unused. Greater knowledge will empower parents to take full advantage of all available services offered by of the act. Positive social change is possible if policymakers are aware of the plight of families as they create policies and procedures that will improve the lives of those who are most vulnerable in the community.

Download

Share

 
COinS